Autumn Pectoral Sandpiper

I have not been out shooting much lately.
It was snowing very lightly this morning so I thought I would try to find a shorebird while it was snowing. Of course, by the time I got to the beach it had stopped snowing and the little bit that had been on the ground was melted.
But, the sun came out and lucky for me this pectoral sandpiper flew in. He only stayed for about a minute and was gone again.
As I progress in my photographic journey, I find that I am more and more partial to pics of birds in the environment.
Canon 1 DX 600mm and 1.4x.
SS 1/2500 F7.1 ISO 1000
PP: Small crop, usual LR sliders and levels in PS CC. I cloned out a bright stalk on bottom of frame.
Comments and critiques always appreciated and learned from with thanks,
Gail
PS I forgot to clone out second catchlight in eye.

Lovely image of this bird in it's environment. I particularly like the way that you have placed the bird in a patch of blue, it wouldn't have stood out half as well against the yellows. I was a bit startled by the saturation and brightness of the yellow foliage at first, but I rather like it now. TFS

Hi Gail, I love the habitat and the golden browns/rust of the sandpiper. What I especially like is the "hidden" haven between the grasses that the bird is standing in and looking over its shoulder. I like the framing and would suggest a crop from the bottom, maybe along the gold line or slightly below, it gives it a more "tucked" away feel... IQ is terrific.

Love the light here and the small in frame bird. I never posted it but I have a Pectoral frame that is very similar to this one. The light, background plants and colors are almost the same. Great minds!!!

This is a perfectly executed small-in-frame shot. The bird's position and color are perfect. These are so hard to get right. I can count my successful efforts on one hand!

My eye goes right to the bird on this one. The bird is in a perfect spot. The light is sweet and the low angle is great.

Hi Gail, perfect low shooting angle and I'm sure you waited for the right HA. Nicely framed in the open between the two OOF grasses/reeds, and the light has brought out the colours of the enviroment so well. Did I mention how sharp the little guy is.

Beautiful image of a bird in habitat..Great colours throughout..Because of the natural surroundings the HA works well here. Great POV

Will

A really beautiful image. A compelling image showing the bird in its environment is usually much harder to achieve than a closeup, I really like what you achieved.

A beautiful habitat and lovely capture of this PESA, Gail. Love the low pov.

Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

Wonderful with this environment, Gail.

I like the light, the setting, and especially the fresh juvenal plumage. A bit more head turn toward us to 90 degrees would have been ideal but that does not stop me from liking this a lot.

with love, artie